The nurse is planning care for a patient who is terminally ill. The nurse chooses spiritual distress as the patient's nursing diagnosis. What clinical observations or manifestations warrant this nursing diagnosis?
1. Lack of initiative
2. Decreased or flat affect
3. Expressing lack of control
4. Expressing lack of purpose in life
Answer: 4
Explanation: A patient who is experiencing spiritual distress may express a lack of purpose in life. A decreased or flat affect and lack of initiative are manifestations of hopelessness, not spiritual distress. Expressed lack of control is evidenced in a patient experiencing powerlessness, not spiritual distress.
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